November 08, 2021: State Minister for Information & Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said that despite the financial crunch, the government is undertaking a massive development program to make Pakistan self-reliant particularly in the agriculture sector.

Addressing a function after laying the foundation stone of a Civil Dispensary and Water Filtration Plant in Nasir Town, he quoted the global inflation and said that the petrol which was available at the US $ 40 per barrel has jumped to the US $ 85 per barrel. Similarly, other commodities have also recorded more than 100 percent increase in their prices which has created problems for economies like Pakistan. However, despite this ground reality, Prime Minister Imran Khan is striving hard to transform Pakistan into a true Islamic state on the pattern of Riyasat-e-Madina, he added. He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has already provided health care to every citizen in KPK while in Punjab, health cards would be delivered by March 2022 which would ensure free health facilities to each family up to Rs.1 million per annum. Similarly, the government has introduced the Kamyab Jawan program. Akhuwat has so far disbursed small loans worth Rs.50 billion to 1.5 million individuals so that they could start their own businesses.

State Minister for Information & Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said that the government is also going to launch 200,000 scholarships. Under this program, students could get computer training and earn from Rs.50,000 to Rs.100,000 per month. It will also help young talented students who have unique ideas but are starved of cash, to get long-term loans at only 3 to 5 percent markup. Under this program, the government has already disbursed Rs.30 billion. He said that a loan of Rs.1 million is available without any guarantee. Similarly, loans were also offered for the construction of houses. The government has approved loans worth Rs.80 billion and out of it Rs.19 billion has so far been disbursed. He said that the government has plugged all loopholes to plunder state exchequer and build spatial palaces abroad.

Farrukh Habib said that mafias are out to foil our productive efforts for the uplift of the country. He said that Faisalabad had become a graveyard of power looms but we have revived its dynamism and now the textile sector is working with full capacity.

The construction sector has also become a most profitable job. The government has performed well despite the ill impacts of coronavirus. We have to face a multidimensional war against looters, plunders, mafias, and corrupt elements. We will flush out the ill-doings of the last 40 years. He said that the previous rulers had pushed Pakistan to the verge of economic collapse and now they are projecting themselves as champions of democracy. The previous rulers established costly powerhouses which have become a liability on the nation but we are building Mohmand, Dasu, Diamer Bhasha, and other dams which will generate the cheapest electricity of 10,000 megawatts, he added.

About the coronavirus pandemic, he said that during this phase, the government distributed Rs.150 billion cash among the people. Similarly, the government also provided relief to small traders and shopkeepers on their electricity bills for three months. He said that looters are now instigating the masses to come out on roads but they themselves are sitting aboard to enjoy a luxurious life.

State Minister said that now the government has focused on agriculture which will not only weed out rural poverty but also add a substantial increase in our domestic production.

About NA-108, he said that the government has decided to resolve all civic problems. A network of dispensaries was laid while each union council will have at least one filtration plant. One filtration plant is already working in Nasir Town while we have laid the foundation stone for the second one.

State Minister for Information & Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said that approximately Rs. 40 million has been earmarked for development projects, electricity, road construction, sewer, and provision of other amenities in CC-87. Similarly, Rs.50 million is being spent on sewerage and roads in CC-88. Some projects have already been operational while the remaining would be completed during this financial year. He told that 900 feet portion of a road from Malkhanwala to Halal Road is near to its completion while the remaining road will be completed with an estimated cost of Rs.30 million during the second phase.

He said that Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has allocated Rs.300 million for the minority funds. Under this program, the Christian localities including Dawood Nagar, Barkat Pura, Ibn-e-Maryam Colony, Khushhal Town, Penta Ground, etc. would be transformed into model colonies where all amenities including potable water and modern sewerage system will be available.

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